Rotating Airbag Mounting Bracket to Eliminate Dashboard Hard Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle dashboards with fixedly attached mounting brackets for airbag protection devices create 'hard points' that can cause significant bodily injury during head collisions by preventing the dashboard from moving and absorbing impact energy effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mounting bracket with an auxiliary part that allows the support bracket to rotate upon impact, absorbing some of the impact energy and preventing the dashboard from becoming a hard point, by being rotationally mounted on the second end of the main part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mounting bracket is fixedly attached to the crossmember and support bracket in a predetermined position, then the airbag deployment is ensured to be correct and predetermined, but the dashboard creates a hard point that causes significant bodily injury during head collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket incorporates a rotational joint that allows the support bracket to rotate relative to the main part when subjected to impact forces. This dynamic capability enables the bracket to absorb impact energy through rotation while maintaining its primary function of securing the airbag protection device, thereby eliminating the hard point effect without compromising airbag deployment reliability.
2Strength
If the support bracket is fixed to the mounting bracket in a predetermined position, then the airbag protection device is securely mounted, but the impact energy is not absorbed and is instantaneously stopped, creating a hard point
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational joint between the main part and support bracket transforms the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic system. During impact, the support bracket can rotate, converting kinetic energy into rotational motion and thereby absorbing impact energy. This maintains secure mounting under normal conditions while enabling energy absorption during collisions.
3Manufacturing precision
If the mounting bracket is made rigid to ensure correct airbag deployment, then the deployment precision is maintained, but the dashboard area above the airbag protection device cannot deform to absorb impact
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket uses a rotational joint that allows controlled movement of the support bracket relative to the main part. This dynamic mechanism enables the bracket to maintain precise positioning for airbag deployment while allowing dashboard deformation and impact energy absorption during collisions, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and impact absorption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The rotating auxiliary part of the mounting bracket absorbs impact energy, reducing the risk of bodily injury by allowing the dashboard to move and distribute the force, thus enhancing safety during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
the auxiliary part (PAP) rotationally mounted on the second end (E2) of the main part (PPP) so as to allow its rotation when the support bracket (PS) is tilted by a displacement of the housing (BD) caused by an impact suffered by the dashboard (PB)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A mounting bracket (PF) is associated with an airbag protection device (DP) comprising a housing (BD) supported by a support bracket (PS) and housed in a dashboard (PB) of a vehicle supported by a crossmember (TP), and comprises: - a main part (PPP) having a first end (E1) fixedly attached to this crossmember (TP) and a second end (E2) to which this support bracket (PS) is coupled, and - an auxiliary part (PAP) to which the support bracket (PS) is fixedly attached and rotatably mounted on this second end (E2) so as to allow its rotational drive when the support bracket (PS) is tilted by a displacement of the housing (BD) caused by an impact suffered by the dashboard (PB).